DRUG TESTING POLICY IS MODEL FOR NATION

School representatives travel to Washington for news conference explaining
local program.

Although the drug-testing policy at Mooresville High School has been in
effect for seven years, White House drug policy makers have highlighted the
policy as cutting edge.

Three school representatives flew to Washington D.C., last week to
participate in a White House news conference about drug testing in schools.

Principal Charles "Chuck" Muston, drug education coordinator Greg Silver
and student Betsy Norton answered reporters' questions at a National Press
Club news conference Aug. 29.

The White House Executive Office for National Drug Control Policy conducted
the news conference to promote the release of a drug-testing publication
for educators, parents and community leaders. In announcing the Bush
administration's support of student drug testing, Mooresville's program was
showcased as a success story.

"People at the local level best understand the nature and depth of drug
problems facing their neighborhoods. American communities should have the
ability to use the best resources available to combat the problem of
illegal drugs," said John P. Walters, director of national drug control
policy, who is more commonly known as the White House drug czar.

Both Muston and Silver were surprised to learn at the news conference that
various national drug policymakers -- from the White House to the armed
forces -- see the Mooresville testing program as a national leader.

The policy was one of the first in Indiana when it was implemented.

"It is hard for us here in the Midwest to be cutting edge in anything --
most new things start at either the East or West coast and filter in. We
had just been doing what we thought was the best for our students and the
community," said Muston, who has been principal for two years.

The Morgan County program captured the attention of national drug policy
officials during a series of surveys conducted last school year for the
White House.

In February, a representative of the drug control policy office contacted
school officials to learn more about the policy. A few weeks ago, Silver
and Muston were asked to fly out for the news conference.

The Mooresville policy lets students who test positive for drugs stay in
school and participate in activities, but they are restricted from special
activities. For instance, a choir member continues to practice but may not
perform in concerts during a restriction period.

"When a student does test positive, that student's health and well- being
become top priority . . . We wanted to be proactive in our approach . . .
to support the student but not the behavior," Muston said during the news
conference.

If a student and a parent agree to attend counseling, the amount of time
the student is restricted from sports events or arts performances is halved
from 42 days to 21 days. The student is retested at the end of the
restriction period.

No restrictions are placed on students who test positive for nicotine. A
parent conference is conducted, and the student is retested in a month.

All students who participate in activities such as sports teams, band,
chorus and driving to and from school are subject to random drug tests.

"A positive drug test should never affect their standing in the classroom.
There is never expulsion," said Silver, who has supervised the drug
education program since its inception a decade ago.

Of the school's 450 students, 15 percent to 20 percent test positive, he
estimates. Most test positive for nicotine and marijuana. Almost all elect
to go to counseling with a parent.

"I'd like to tell you that 100 percent test clean after the restriction,
but it's not. Ninety percent or more do," Silver said.

National drug use figures released at the news conference indicate that by
the time they graduate from high school, more than half of all young people
have tried illegal drugs and more than one in 20 smokes marijuana daily.

Mooresville senior Betsy Norton, 17, remembers when high school students
came to her elementary to speak about the dangers that accompany drugs. She
took time to share the same message when she entered high school.

Her enthusiasm and poise while sharing this message as part of several
extracurricular groups were among the reasons Silver and Muston selected
her to go to Washington.

"When I realized I was the only student in the press conference, there was
more pressure, but it was also more exciting. It was a great opportunity to
share something I am passionate about," said Norton, who is in the pool for
random drug tests because she is a cheerleader, in show choir and drives to
school.

Norton was prepared to share her message, but her time was cut from the
presentation. She did answer questions from reporters afterward.

"Now that I can think about it, this was an honor for our school and adds
to the program's credibility. I am even more proud to go to Mooresville
High School," Norton said.

Students and faculty in Mooresville could watch the news conference, which
aired on C-SPAN.

Muston distributed 30 copies of his school's policy at the news conference,
and he expects to be contacted by school officials from across the nation
as the White House pamphlet gains a wider audience.